How to Feed Longhorn Cattle in Feedlots

The goal of most longhorn cattle producers raising cattle for beef is to sell the animals for profit when they reach market weight. The objective is to fatten the animals to a market standard in the shortest time. Cattle gain weight based on what they're fed, the amount they're fed and how often they're fed. When cattle reach market weight, they're often referred to as "fat cattle."

Longhorn cattle mature later, grow slower and don't gain fat as easily as other beef breeds such as Angus or Herefords. However, excellent feed utilization and lower feed consumption keep the expenses similar to that of other breeds.

Instructions

  1. Types of Feed

    • 1

      Feed cattle roughly 2.5 percent of their live weight in dry matter (food remaining after water is removed) per day. A 1,000-pound longhorn would consume approximately 25 pounds of dry matter per day. Examples of dry matter include forages such as hay. Forage consumption will decrease accordingly if concentrated feeds are added to the diet.

    • 2

      Provide silage (grass or other dried feed that's compacted and stored in airtight conditions) or concentrated feeds such as grain for increased weight gain. Grains should be rolled, not ground, so the energy is released over a longer time period. If a complete feed is not being used, the ration must be balanced. Soybean meal, rapeseed meal, beans, peas, barley, wheat, corn and oats can all be utilized to balance a ration. A veterinarian or county extension agent can assist with ration balancing. Longhorn cattle are not big eaters, but they're efficient at converting feed into weight gain. On average, for every 6 pounds of feed consumed, a longhorn will gain 1 pound.

    • 3

      Supplement the feed with vitamins and minerals. Many feed sources lack necessary vitamins and minerals. Blood samples can be taken to accurately determine mineral levels. Supplements can be added directly to the feed, given free choice (at the animal's choice) or by bolus (pill). Mineral deficiencies can cause sickness, lack of growth, slow growth or poor meat quality and should always be addressed in the longhorn̵7;s diet.